Issue

Designing molecular machines from the comfort of home

05/01/2007

Tom Moore, a nanotechnology blogger, has set up a Machine Phase blog at http://machine-phase.blogspot.com to chronicle his nanotechnology adventures designing molecular machines using NanoEngineer-1 software from Nanorex. The software is a 3D molecular engineering program that includes a sophisticated CAD module for the design and modeling of atomically precise components and assemblies, and a molecular dynamics module for simulating the movement and operation of mechanical nanodevices.

If you go to http:/machine-phase.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html and click on the picture of this bearing and shaft designed by Moore, it will open a new window with some animation of its turning. Photo by Tom Moore

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Moore’s journey to design a molecular machine started on March 3, 2007, when he constructed a molecular bearing in about an hour. What’s interesting is that he used “his trusty old Toshiba laptop” to do so. Designing his own machine required construction of speed reduction gear, which took more than 100 hours to simulate, with many trials and tribulations along the way. Moore also built large output gear, as well as pinion gear and a “shaft,” which he depicts in still shots or animation.